LSU’s Joe Alleva: ‘Very happy’ at LSU, hasn’t heard from Penn State

Joe Alleva said he was surprised Friday morning when he learned his name had surfaced this week in a local report tying him to the athletic director’s opening at Penn State.

“I didn’t know the job was open,” the LSU AD said.

Earlier this week, sports talk show host Matt Moscona of WNXX-FM quoted a source saying Alleva would be targeted by Penn State to replace outgoing athletic director Dave Joyner. Joyner announced Tuesday he is retiring effective Aug. 1.

Alleva said there has been no contact between himself and Penn State.

“I love LSU,” he said Friday. “The fans here are great. I’m very happy here. My work at LSU is nowhere near done. I’ve got a lot more to do.”

Just under three years ago, Tennessee pursued Alleva for its then-vacant athletic director’s position. Alleva remained and eventually signed a new contract that currently pays him $725,000 and runs through June 2016.

A native of Suffern, New York, Alleva became LSU’s athletic director in April 2008. He is in the midst of a five-year term on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, commonly known as the NCAA tournament selection committee. Alleva’s stint on the committee runs through September 2016.

Alleva also responded to questions Friday about the progress of the $80 million south end zone addition to Tiger Stadium, which will take seating capacity of the 90-year-old facility to near 100,000.

“The stadium work is on time,” he said. “It should be ready for the home opener.”

LSU opens the regular season Aug. 30 in Houston against Wisconsin and plays its home opener Sept. 6 against Sam Houston State.

Alleva said most of the project is now enclosed, lessening the chances of a weather delay.

“Most of the work is being done inside,” he said. “The weather isn’t a big factor anymore.”

Alleva said workers recently completed re-sodding the Tiger Stadium field following the three-day Bayou Country Superfest held there in May.

Part of the annual contract for the event calls for promoters to replace the playing surface after the concert series wraps up.

“The field is all replaced,” Alleva said. “It’s gorgeous. They do a great job every year, and it’s growing in really well.”